2.18.2011

Last evening, we posted a few photos on Facebook -- "Dinner Time" was the album title, I believe. Way more raw and unrefined than these. Perhaps, because of it, with more character? Depends on what intrigues you. What fascinates you. What you like. There's something about taking the ultra-ordinary -- like a kid eating cereal -- and making it extraordinary -- based on angles and lighting -- that can cause greater impact than a photo well-scripted and perfectly lit... Both are "art," no doubt. Just comes down to taste as for which ends up in a frame.

For example, in our house you'd never find Manet, Monet or Rembrandt. Beautiful? Sure. Just that we're more the Alexandra Nechita-type. That is, if we could afford it.

For now, we'll just stick to framing the pictures we shoot and hanging them on our poorly painted walls. Oh, and about the shots: 1) 28mm f/5.6, studio light within 1.5' 2) 100mm f/6.3, studio light at approx. 4' 3) 50mm f/3.5, studio light within 2' 4) Exact same as #2.

2.13.2011

It's warming up outside. (That's nice and all. But it's still officially winter...) And what do you do in winter time? You suffer a bit from the dryness and the wind but enjoy the cold while it's around because in a few short months, it'll will be hot and muggy, and it will feel like there is no escape.

It's a vicious circle. That's what vacations are for: to escape what's normal in life -- that circle -- for a short while and to focus on what's beautiful and fun and meaningful. We did that this winter, courtesy of Celebrity, and it was worth every penny. So, if it doesn't get cold again for the rest of this official winter season, that's okay. It'll give us something to look forward to the next time St. Louis goes into a deep freeze.

Ahhh. Florida. (Except for the sun-streaming-in-the-window shot, which was taken in a church in Colombia.)

2.07.2011

What exactly goes into photographing a newborn? Mostly: time.We essentially tell parents, "Hey. Sit back. Relax. We're moving in for a while and we have lots of luggage."That's because, truth be told, no two shoots are the same. Some babies are sleepers. Some, well, not so much. Some are big (well, relatively speaking). Some fit in a bowl. Some in a basket. Some fit in the palm of your hand. And, of course, some, well, don't. Some don't mind a bright light. Some require cranking up the ISO camera setting so you can shoot in the dark.Like the tiny babies themselves, it's all about being flexible. And recognizing that not every idea is going to pan out. And that's okay.Guess that's sort of like life in general, eh?